Title: Chromium (VI) removal using nano-TiO₂/chitosan film in photocatalytic system

Authors: Jirapat Ananpattarachai; Piyaporn Kumket; Tra Van Tung; Puangrat Kajitvichyanukul

Addresses: Center of Excellence on Environmental Research and Innovation, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Naresuan University, 99 Moo 9 Tambon Tha Pho, Muang, 65000, Thailand ' International Postgraduate Programme in Environmental Management (Hazardous Waste Management), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand ' Center of Excellence on Environmental Research and Innovation, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Naresuan University, 99 Moo 9 Tambon Tha Pho, Muang, 65000, Thailand ' Center of Excellence on Environmental Research and Innovation, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Naresuan University, 99 Moo 9 Tambon Tha Pho, Muang, 65000, Thailand

Abstract: TiO₂/chitosan film was fabricated by chitosan flake from crab shell and TiO₂ (Degussa P25) and immobilised on a glass plate for chromium (VI) removal. Adsorption and photocatalytic activity of chromium (VI) removal and chelating ability of chitosan to enhance photocatalytic activity were investigated. The effect of chitosan and TiO₂ contents of film property was conducted. The chitosan concentration 1.5% w/w with different TiO₂ concentration was homogenous solution leading to smooth TiO₂/chitosan film with high ability in chromium (VI) removal. The adsorption of TiO₂/chitosan film with ratio 0.8% TiO₂ and 1.5% chitosan resulted in chromium (VI) removal up to 64.05%. With photocatalytic process, the TiO₂/chitosan can remove all of residual chromium (VI) in wastewater. The kinetics of the photocatalytic process using Langmuir-Hinshelwood model were also discussed. The TiO₂/chitosan film can be a potential catalyst for heavy metal removal in photocatalytic process.

Keywords: TiO2; titanium dioxide; chitosan; photocatalytic process; waste management; chromium (VI) removal; photocatalysis; crab shells; adsorption; environmental pollution; wastewater treatment; kinetics; heavy metals.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2015.070481

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2015 Vol.16 No.1, pp.55 - 70

Received: 09 Sep 2014
Accepted: 23 Feb 2015
Published online: 07 Jul 2015 *

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